($370+) St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $345 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,411 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 397 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,185, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,411 or more.
- Moving containers run $904 - $2,764, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $345 - $872.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Paul, MN, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,951 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Moving options from St. Paul to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $1,951 - $4,945 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 397-mile route typically takes 1 to 4 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 397-mile route from St. Paul to Chicago, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,185 - $4,009 | $904 - $1,526 | $345 - $678 | $845 - $1,459 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,951 - $4,945 | $1,167 - $2,145 | $379 - $789 | $916 - $1,770 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,007 - $7,411 | $1,516 - $2,764 | $476 - $872 | $1,189 - $2,256 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 6, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Hiring full-service movers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,185 and $7,411. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 397-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $311 - $2,072, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between St. Paul and Chicago. For a rough baseline, movers based in St. Paul tend to start around $243 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Paul to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,185 - $4,009
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,951 - $4,945
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,007 - $7,411
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from St. Paul to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of St. Paul movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Good Stuff Moving | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers21% nationallyTop pick: Good Stuff Moving | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Paul to Chicago?
Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Illinois, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in St. Paul, MN?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Paul to Chicago with a local mover averages $2,029 - $5,142. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in St. Paul, MN can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.
Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.
Premium Moving Services (4.52/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in St. Paul, based on our analysis of feedback from 177 customers, 83.1% of which is positive.
Address: 949 Schaller Dr, S Maplewood, MN, 55119 | Founded: 2017
Moving container costs from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $904 and $2,764. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in St. Paul typically costs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Paul to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $904 - $1,526
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,167 - $2,145
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,516 - $2,764
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Paul, MN, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $725, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $155 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Paul, MN, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Minnesota to Illinois move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $904. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,167 - $2,145, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Paul to Chicago?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in St. Paul to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in St. Paul:
- Good Stuff Moving (4.8/5), 26 years in business
- Premium Moving Services (4.5/5), 9 years in business
- College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 397-mile move from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $345 and $872. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $131 - $150
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- St. Paul daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from St. Paul to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $345 - $678
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $379 - $789
- 4+ bedrooms: $476 - $872
Pro tip: The base rate of $345 - $872 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from St. Paul to Chicago. Fuel ($131 - $150) , lodging at around $155/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in St. Paul, Minnesota, usually costs about $725 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 397-mile drive falls between $131 and $150, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $52 and $311 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Chicago?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $916 and $1,770.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Paul to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $845 - $1,459
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $916 - $1,770
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,189 - $2,256
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $78 and $155.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in St. Paul, Minnesota, for roughly five hours typically average $725.
What are the best freight companies from St. Paul to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: St. Paul, MN vs Chicago, IL
St. Paul and Chicago land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 102 in St. Paul and 106 in Chicago, and rent tracks closely too ($1,350/mo vs. $2,045/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (60 vs 77) and safety scores (49.14 vs 33.87) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to St. Paul, MN guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 49 movers based in Minnesota, handy for sizing up options on this 397-mile route.
Our take
A move from St. Paul, MN, to Chicago, IL, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,185 - $7,411 on the 397-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $904 - $2,764, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $345 - $872. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $1,951 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from St. Paul, MN, to Chicago, IL
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 60 and 64 in St. Paul. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 49.14 and 50.86 in St. Paul. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of St. Paul movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 76% of movers in St. Paul handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.